Faculty, Staff and Administrators

Faculty/Staff Announcements from Campus Connection

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• November 22: UDM receives accreditation approval to launch new School of Optometry

  Friday November 22, 2024
  

  

  

  University of Detroit Mercy announces that it has recently received pre-accreditation approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) for the institution’s new School of Optometry.

  This new school will be located at 41555 W. 12 Mile Road in Novi, Michigan, and is the 25th School of Optometry in the United States and the second in Michigan. The first class will begin in the fall of 2025 and prospective students can submit applications starting in December. Earlier this year, the University opened the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute on the Novi campus to statewide and national fanfare and began accepting patients in April.

  “This is an exciting day for the University, our Michigan community and for the thousands of prospective students around the country who dream of becoming an optometrist,” said University President Donald B. Taylor. “More than three years of hard work by many talented and dedicated people has contributed to today’s announcement.”

  Discussion about a School of Optometry began almost four years ago when Mert Aksu, dean of the School of Dentistry, approached leadership about the national need for schools of optometry and potential for UDM to create one in southeast Michigan.

  UDM developed the school to meet a growing need for optometrists in Michigan and the United States. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for this field will grow 9% from 2023 to 2033. This rate of growth is faster than average for all occupations and is based on several factors, such as

  • An aging population that requires more vision care services
  • Increasing awareness of eye health
  • The need to replace optometrists who retire or leave the workforce

  Faculty, staff and University leadership have worked together to identify programs and services for the new school to meet community needs.

  According to Optometry Dean Maryke Neiberg, the new school will provide students “an innovative and science-based educational experience to help them become highly skilled, ethical and culturally sensitive eye care practitioners prepared for practice and licensure upon graduation. We have an exceptional team of faculty and staff experts with years of experience ready to train the next generation of vision care leaders. We will have a unique and very strong program. I am very proud of what we will be offering.”

  Neiberg said the vision of UDM’s School of Optometry is to garner recognition as an international leader for innovations in curriculum, clinical education, patient care, and community collaboration.

  The School of Optometry and Eye Institute also represent examples of UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy mission in action. The development of both has provided UDM a significant opportunity to expand the University’s healthcare footprint in southeast Michigan and serve individuals in need.

  For Pamela Zarkowski, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, this new school represents an important historical step to extend UDM’s reach and provide much-needed vision care for the entire Michigan community.

  “Loss of vision is such a huge public health issue and impacts millions of people in the United States,” she said. “UDM’s legacy of developing initiatives to meet these needs is essential and helps us fulfill our mission as a Catholic university.”

  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median salary in 2023 for optometrists was nearly $132,000 a year. In addition, the BLS projects that there will be approximately 2,200 openings for optometrists each year for the next decade or more.

  For inquiries, please contact Steven Chang, executive director of Admissions, at
  changst@udmercy.edu, or Juliette Daniels, associate dean, Student Services & Enrollment Management, at danieljc@udmercy.edu

  Learn more about the Detroit Mercy School of Optometry.

  Learn moreabout the Detroit Mercy Eye Institute.

• November 21: Helping charities for the holidays with UDM

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  The Detroit Mercy community offers many ways to help others during this holiday season. The Marketing & Communications team is gathering all opportunities onto one page, which we hope will help you choose how and what organization you may want to help. Click here for giving opportunities!

  

• November 21: Detroit Mercy Law unveils Jesuit and Mercy founder portraits

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  

  Detroit Mercy School of Law unveiled portraits of the Jesuit and Mercy religious founders — St. Ignatius of Loyola (founder of the Society of Jesus) and Venerable Catherine McAuley (founder of the Sisters of Mercy) — on Nov. 7, 2024.

  The Most Reverend Robert J. Fisher ’83, auxiliary bishop of Detroit, blessed the portraits. Several members of the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus attended the blessing ceremony organized by Deacon Kurt Godfryd ’84, ’87, ’90, associate dean for Finance and Operations.

  The portraits are on display in the east hallway outside the prayer and reflection room. Daniel McAfee, local artist and retired director of worship for the Archdiocese of Detroit, painted the portraits.

  From left, Deacon Kurt Godfryd ’84, ’87, ’90, and Interim Dean Nicholas Schroeck stand next to the new portraits.

• November 21: Volunteers needed for De-Stress Fest on Dec. 5

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  

  Calling all faculty and staff! Please consider volunteering at De-Stress Fest, scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5 from 4-7 p.m. in the Fitness Center.

  This event provides students with an opportunity to take a break from studying for finals and have some fun. It is a great way to engage with students outside of the classroom as we all prepare for the end of the semester and the holiday season. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

  If you are interested, please contact Stephanie Wheeler at wheelesm@udmercy.edu for more information.

• November 21: Light Up the Mall on Dec. 4

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  

  All are welcome to embrace the spirit of the holiday season and join the President’s Office and University Ministry to Light up the Mall on Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. The University community is invited to the south side outdoor area of the Student Union for the lighting of Kassab Mall, a Christmas and holiday blessing and singing with the University Chorus.

  Hot chocolate and cookies to follow the festivities in the Zalke Lounge in the lower level for the Student Union.

  

• November 21: Study Retreat for all students is back on Dec. 8

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  

  University Ministry is hosting this retreat where you bring your school work with you! The retreat will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Maxis Spirituality Center, located at 17380 Grange Road in Riverview, Mich.

  This retreat is a chance to get off campus, study in a quiet and relaxing space and have built-in optional study breaks that provide self-care and spiritual care! Students will have time to share home-cooked meals together and enter into finals prepared and equipped with the tools to take care of their whole persons as our mission calls us to through “cura personalis” (the care for the whole person, body mind and soul).

  There is limited space for this retreat in order to create an ideal study environment for participants. All transportation and food are provided.

  Last day to register is Friday, Dec. 6, at noon.

  For questions or concerns, please contact Anna Lawler, University minister for Faith Formation, at lawleran@udmercy.edu or 313-993-1925.

  SIGN UP HERE!

  

• November 21: Share words of gratitude at the Write Something! Desk

  Thursday November 21, 2024
  

  UDM’s Creative Arts kiosk outside of the Briggs Building.

  Come celebrate life’s abundance and give thanks by writing a recipe poem at the Write Something! Desk, located by the Detroit Mercy Creative Arts kiosk between the Briggs and Commerce & Finance Buildings.

  The desk will be available for you to share your “recipes” now through Wednesday, Nov. 27.

  Recipe sticky notes are provided. Post yours on the kiosk, where it will be photographed for an online display.